‘NDA ministers not resigning’: Rajnath Singh’s old remark goes viral after Dharmendra Pradhan exit | Today’s news
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s 11-year-old statement has resurfaced on social media following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, with many users linking the old remark with the latest political developments.
Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and irregularities in the investigation. Soon after the announcement, a video clip of Rajnath Singh’s press conference on 24 June 2015 began to circulate widely online.
In the viral clip, Singh is heard saying, “Our ministers don’t have to resign. This is not their (Congress) government, this is the NDA government.”
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Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over alleged NEET paper leaks and investigation irregularities, only the second such resignation during PM Modi’s tenure.
Rajnath Singh’s 2015 statement that “our ministers need not resign” gained traction on social media following Pradhan’s resignation, leading to comparisons between the two political events.
The protests, led by various student organizations and activists, were significant as they represented widespread dissatisfaction with examination irregularities and called for accountability within the education system.
Political leaders such as Rahul Gandhi praised the perseverance of the students and called it a victory for democracy, while others stressed the need for further reforms in the education system.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) played a key role in organizing protests demanding Pradhan’s resignation and led major events at places like Jantar Mantar, amplifying student voices across the country.
The statement was made more than a decade ago during the controversy surrounding former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, when the opposition demanded the resignation of senior BJP leaders.
Read also | Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation LIVE: Pralhad Joshi appointed as new Education Minister
What Rajnath Singh said in 2015
During a press conference in June 2015, Rajnath Singh was responding to questions regarding the Congress’s demand for the resignation of then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhar Raje.
Reiterating the government’s stand, Singh said, “Our ministers need not resign. This is not their (Congress) government, this is the NDA government.”
At the time, Swaraj and Raje faced criticism from the opposition for allegedly helping former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi obtain travel documents in the UK.
Raje’s son, Dushyant Singh, also came under political scrutiny as opposition parties threatened to disrupt the monsoon session of Parliament unless action was taken against Swaraj and Raje.
The restored video gained attention on social media after Pradhan’s resignation, with users comparing the 2015 statement to the latest political developments.
Pradhan’s resignation ends a long gap
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is only the second instance in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year tenure at the Center that a union cabinet minister has resigned from office.
Before Pradhan’s exit, the last Union minister to resign was MJ Akbar, the then External Affairs Minister, who resigned on 17 October 2018 following the allegations against him during the #MeToo movement.
Pradhan resigned on Saturday as protests against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination continued across the country.
Read also | ‘Cockroach’ note, CJP’s 37-day protest and Pradhan’s exit: Timeline
Student protests intensified across the country
Students and several student organizations protested against Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability for the alleged NEET paper leak and examination-related irregularities.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the movement, following an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students. He ended his fast on Friday, July 24, after which speculation grew over whether Pradhan would remain in office.
After announcing his resignation, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Borrowing a popular catchphrase from the movie Munna Bhai MBBS, Dipke said, “Subah ho gayi mamu,” apparently taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remark was met with cheers from supporters as celebrations broke out at the protest site.
Dipke also termed Pradhan’s resignation as a “victory for democracy”.
The government had previously ruled out resignation
In the weeks leading up to Saturday’s announcement, Pradhan faced repeated calls from students, opposition parties and several political organizations to step down.
On July 20, clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel during the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Parliament’ march in Delhi. Videos of the confrontation were widely shared on social media and demonstrations continued in several parts of the country.
Read also | ‘What you say is sarkaar mein…’: How Abhijeet Dipke declared victory
Before the resignation, government sources had claimed that Pradhan would not step down.
On Friday night, the government also launched disciplinary proceedings against 47 National Testing Agency (NTA) staff, a move widely seen as part of efforts to address concerns over the exam controversy.
Pradhan’s resignation has since sparked widespread political debate, with a new clip of Rajnath Singh’s 2015 remarks becoming one of the most shared videos on social media.
